COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13738, 20 May 1910, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS

A Press Association telegram states that representatives of butter factories, dairy farmers, and others interested in tho'industrv are, at tho invitation of the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. T. Mackenzie), holding a conference at Wellington to consieler what are the best steps to take for the pasteurisation of skim milk and whey before it is returned to the settlers for consumption by calves anel pigs. The conference is not open to tho Press. It is understood, however, that the subject wa.s fully discussed, anel the discussion will serve thc useful purpose of preparing the representatives of the industry i,n a proper presentation of the latest information regarding it at the Dairy Conference at the National Dairy .Show.

Why was mutton so cheap in England last year? Prices towards the end of the year touched a point lower than ever "recorded in the history of the traelc. .Scjtch sheep coultl then lm purchased in Smithlield market at 3d to ojel per lb, whereas last week 7d to 8d per ib was freely made. Frozen slieep, which have recently been selling at 3d to 5d per lb. could be had in December at 2d to 2Jd per lb. Many theories havo been advanceel for these fluctuations in prices, but none of them appeal to the "Meat Trade Journal" as quite convincing- That paper therefore invites its reaeleis' views on the ejuestion. "Why was mutton so cheap last year?" anel nrizes are being offered for the best letter on the subject.

Noxious weeels cases have been coming before Southland courts in record niimbers this season (telegraphs the Invercargill correspondent of the Dunedin "Star"). Tuesday's sitting of the Winton Court produced a batch of no less than twenty-seven cases, and Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., convicted in all, tho fines ranging between 10s and £4. Tn convicting two Lochiel farmers, Mr Cruickdiank grave the following interesting judgment:—'The law clearly is that each occupier of land has to cut to the satisfaction of the inspector the stems at least of all CanoeliaJi thistles to preveut them flowering. It will lie noted that it is not to be done to the satisfaction of the magistrate, but of tho inspector, who is sole> judge of the efficiency of the work. Of cource tho inspector's opinion must bo an honest, reasonable opinion, given in good faith. It must not be fraudulent, or the result of wilful caprice, or prejudice, or dishonourable design. There is no suggestion in this case that the decision of the two inspectors is- not their genuine opinions. The defendants occupy a large area of land, some 1-100 acres, in a notoriously bad thistle locality. The defendants show that they havo elono on immense- amount of work in

cutting thistles, but admit that there are still some parts not touched, owing to difficulties in the way of cutting the weed. Large, holdings naturally bring large responsibilities in a thistle-infest-ed country, but if. in the opinion of the inspector, there is still a portion uncut, a large expenditure is not a defence. Defendants must 'lie convicted. As they havo done good work tho fine will be comparatively light. They will be fined £*2 and costs.''

TAT TAPU. A very successful concert was lield in the Hall, Tai Tapu, on Tuesday last, in iiid of the Public Library. The progiruime was supplied by Christchurch artists, and thu various items submitted wore of a high order of merit. Miss Suckling;, Messrs Home, Hart.* Yero Buchanan, Farquhar Young, Graham, aivl Cookson contributed to the progianiniOj Messrs Home and Cookson pioviding tho accompaniments. At tlie couelusion of the concert a dance was held. oxroiiD. The weekly meotinjj of the Oxford Debating iSociety ivas hold in tlie Public Library - last Jlonday, when was a good attendance of members and friends, llr R. IJ. Da Hey occupied the chair. The subject for the evening was "Protection v. Freetrade"—afiirmative, Mr D. Murry; negative, Mr JR. li. Dalley. After a discussion tlio voto went in favour of tho negative by a good majority. ASITBURTOX.

Linesmen aro now engaged near Chertsey, erecting a telephone metallic circuitbetwecn Rakaia and Ashburton, and on its completion a telephone oxchange will bo opened tit Chertsey. At present,"-messages from Ashburton to Rakaia are sent via Pyle, a- distance of forty-five mil'p.s, but when the new circuit is completed tho messages will only have to ho sent across eighteen miles of wires. At «. special general meeting of the Ashburton Haketere Club, Mr W. Page in the chair, the question of dealing with the profits of tho lato bazaar, which amounted to L'ls9, was considered. It was decided to further reduce the mortgage on tho land account by £125, and that tho committee ho recommended- to make further progress payments from timo to time.